Publications by John Toler

Giving Young Musicians the Chance to D.R.E.A.M.

D.R.E.A.M., which is an acronym for “Dare, Reach, And Encourage All with Music, is a program that provides private music lessons for talented music students at Seneca Ridge whose families might otherwise not be able to afford them.

The lessons are given at the school by professional musicians, military band members, and freelance musicians.

Goose Creek Village Taking Shape

Sunoco service station and convenience store will be opening first.

The project is on schedule, with the Sunoco service station and convenience store to open in December 2009, and the Walgreens store to open in February 2010. The Harris-Teeter grocery, another anchor store, is scheduled to open in October 2011.

Lunette, on the Old Colchester Road

The Colchester Road – which ran between the old tobacco port town of Colchester on the Potomac River through Loudoun County to Williams’ Gap (later called Snickers’ Gap) in the Blue Ridge – disappeared about a century ago, when it was renamed “Braddock Road.”

Spooktacular Halloween Events Worth Attending in Loudoun

“SLASHBURN” HAUNTED HOUSE at the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, 20688 Ashburn Road in Old Ashburn. This is the first year of this event, where the Company 6 firehouse is transformed into house of horrors. Event runs Oct. 29-31, starting at 7 p.m., and last ticket sold at 10 p.m. Tickets are available in advance for $10 through Facebook, and at the door for $12. First responders get a free guest pass with their paid admission.

Local Agencies, Hospitals Respond to Spread of H1N1 Flu

The initial shipment consisted of the nasal spray vaccination, and is being administered to young students who have been given their parents’ permission to receive the vaccine.

Swine Flu Vaccinations: 'We're in a Race Against Time'

The gathering of health care professionals at the NVHA offices in Fairfax on Oct. 21 was a mini-summit for the media on H1N1 “swine flu,” intended to share the latest information and provide a regional update on the spread of the disease..

Zach Corrigan, of the NVHA

Representatives of several of NVHA member hospitals were joined by health department officials from Prince William County and the City of Alexandria to discuss the progression of the pandemic, and their specific health system response.

First Shipment of State H1N1 Vaccine Reaches Loudoun

Loudoun 101: History Timeline of Loudoun County

1649 – King Charles II gives a grant totaling five million acres in the Northern Neck Proprietary to seven English noblemen.

1692 – David Strahan and his “Rangers of the Pottomack” explore what was to become Sugarland Run in Eastern Loudoun.

Early Native Americans

The Lost Village of Ryan

Near the end of the old road—where it intersects present-day Waxpool, Shellhorn, Ashburn roads—was the once-thriving hamlet of Ryan.

Remembering, Reassessing John Brown, 150 Years Later

Events marking the sesquicentennial of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry officially began with the kick-off in April and the Driving Tour that followed, but many people involved with Loudoun County’s part in the raid and American Civil War Sesquicentennial will begin to feel the spirit with a re-enactment of the raid, which will take place Friday through Sunday, Oct. 16-18 at Harpers Ferry. The actions of John Brown, the fiery abolitionist who attacked the U.S.

Eastern Loudoun Saw its Share of Action During the Civil War

Even before its founding in 1757, Loudoun County attracted a diverse immigrant population, including English, Scots and Germans, as well as various religious sects, including Catholics, Protestants and Quakers. This became apparent as the nation moved toward Civil War in the mid-1800s.

County Prepares to Administer H1N1 Vaccine

Healthcare providers, including the Loudoun County Health Department, will begin receiving the first shipments of H1N1 “swine flu” vaccines in the next two weeks, according to Dr. David Goodfriend, director of the health department. Additional staff has been added to assist with vaccinations at the health department.

Loudoun’s Waterford Fair: a View into the Past

Under bright autumn skies, hundreds of vendors, craftspeople and entertainers greeted thousands of fair-goers, continuing a long tradition of historical appreciation, fine handcrafts, original art, a variety of food, and fascinating house tours..”

"The Dormers" was one of 12 homes open during the fair.

Remembering the Village of Nokes

Commenting on the names of the roads in the area around Claude Moore Park in Sterling, Assistant Park Manager Meri Breed was pleased to note that Nokes Boulevard–a major thoroughfare that connects Cascades Boulevard with Sully Road–honors the long-gone Loudoun County village of Nokes. “It’s a good that some of our early African-American villages have been remembered,” said Breed.

Fourth Roundabout at Gilbert’s Corner Opens This Week

Utilization of the system of four roundabouts in the Gilbert’s Corner area (U.S. 50 and U.S. 15) is nearly two months ahead of schedule, with the last roundabout at the site of the old U.S. 50/15 intersection ready for traffic and the closed section of U.S. 50 reopened by Friday, Oct. 2. It was originally anticipated it would take until Thanksgiving to have the infrastructure complete and all four roundabouts functional.

Facebook

Contact John at jtoler@loudouni.com.